Research Assistant Professor Jobs
Research Assistant Professor jobs are open across universities, research institutes, medical schools, and government labs, from early-career to senior levels, with specializations in biomedical science, computational research, and social sciences. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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How to Apply
Apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/196430. Only materials submitted through the Interfolio link will be reviewed. Do not submit materials on this website or using any of the apply now links on this page.
Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position; a curriculum vitae; a statement describing scholarly and research activities (including funded research), and two recent publications. Inquiries should be submitted to srcsearches@umich.edu. Applications are due December 1, 2026.
Job Summary
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor in its Survey Research Center (SRC).
The Research Assistant Professor will lead and collaborate on externally funded projects in SRC?s Social Environment and Health (SEH) Program. SEH is one of the longest running programs in SRC and has a long history of conducting innovative research at the intersection of social, environmental, and biological factors influencing human health. SEH is also home to the National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA), a publicly available longitudinal data resource with rigorously evaluated and theoretically derived measures of the neighborhood environment at multiple spatial scales.
We are looking for an interdisciplinary scholar with an interest in the social environment and health. We will consider a broad range of areas of specialization, including but not limited to aging, disability, housing, environmental exposures, built environment, biomarkers of aging, infectious disease, and contextual methods. Scholars using novel data sources as well as other innovative methods to capture new dimensions of the socio-environmental context are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in candidates with a successful record of externally funded research, and a strong record of scholarship.
The Research Assistant Professor will collaborate with an existing team of social scientists and social, environmental, and infectious disease epidemiologists in the SEH Program. Successful candidates are expected to establish an independent, externally funded research program.
As the world's largest academic social science survey and research organization, the Institute for Social Research (ISR) is a leader in developing and applying new social science methods and is committed to educating the next generation of social scientists. The Institute's Survey Research Center conducts investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance. SEH and SRC are committed to mentoring early career faculty to succeed in its multidisciplinary and highly entrepreneurial environment.
Responsibilities*
The Research Assistant Professor will pursue independent and collaborative externally funded research projects related to the social environment and health.
Required Qualifications*
The Research Assistant Professor position requires:
A Ph.D. in the social or behavioral science fields, including epidemiology, psychology, health services research, population health, environmental health, urban planning, or related fields, and at least 2-3 years of post-doctoral experience;
Strong record of scholarship as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications;
Demonstrated success in securing externally funded research (e.g., small grants [NIH R03/R21], career development awards [NIH K99/R00, K01]);
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The position is a 12-month appointment located in Ann Arbor, MI. Salary is highly competitive.
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Benefits at the University of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Applications are due December 1, 2026.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
285077
Working Title
Research Assistant Professor
Job Title
RESEARCH ASST PROFESSOR
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Inst Soc Research
Department
SRC-Social Envir & Health
Posting Begin/End Date
11/02/2026 - 12/01/2026
Career Interest
Primary
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Find JobsResearch Assistant Professor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Indiana University14

- University of Texas at El Paso9

- University of Southern California9

- UC San Diego8

- University of Virginia8

Top Industries Hiring
- Education63
- Healthcare & Medical Services7
- Science & Research4
- Agriculture & Farming1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research assistant professor jobs.
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field required
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in the field
- Experience designing and executing independent research projects
- Proficiency with field-specific analytical tools or laboratory techniques
- Ability to secure or contribute to external grant funding
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for academic and scientific audiences
Tips for Your Research Assistant Professor Job Search
Align your CV to the posting
Research assistant professor postings often specify a sub-discipline, a grant history requirement, or a particular methodology. Mirror that exact language in your CV's research summary so hiring committees can see the match immediately without reading between the lines.
Lead with your funding record
Committees weigh your ability to attract external funding heavily. List every grant, fellowship, and contract you've held or co-investigated, including pending applications, with the agency name, award amount, and your role clearly stated.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research assistant professor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Request letters before you apply
Many research assistant professor searches require three referees who can speak to your independent research output, not just your dissertation work. Contact your referees before submitting so letters arrive on time and speak specifically to the skills the posting emphasizes.
Prepare a focused research statement
Your research statement should describe your current work, your two or three next projects, and how each connects to the department's existing strengths. Generic statements that don't name faculty or labs in the hiring unit are routinely screened out at the first review stage.
Follow up after your job talk
After an on-campus visit or virtual talk, send a brief note to your faculty host thanking the department and restating one specific point of overlap between your agenda and theirs. This keeps you visible during committee deliberations without appearing to pressure anyone.
Research Assistant Professor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research assistant professors?
The most active employers for research assistant professors right now are Indiana University, University of Texas at El Paso, and University of Southern California, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Research-intensive universities and academic medical centers tend to post the highest volume of these roles throughout the year.
How many research assistant professor jobs are remote?
About 14% of research assistant professor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though most laboratory and clinical research positions require on-site presence. Roles in computational research, data science, and certain social science disciplines are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a research assistant professor?
You typically earn a doctoral degree in your field, then complete one or more postdoctoral appointments to build an independent publication record and establish a research agenda. From there, you apply to open positions, submit a CV, research statement, and teaching statement, and participate in an interview process that usually includes a research presentation before a faculty committee.
Can you get a research assistant professor role with limited experience?
It's possible if your publication output and research focus are strong, even if your overall career is early. Departments hiring research assistant professors prioritize independent research productivity over years of service, so a focused body of work in a niche the department wants to grow can outweigh a longer but less specialized record.
What does the research assistant professor interview process look like?
The process typically starts with an application review, followed by a phone or video screening with a search committee. Finalists are invited for a full interview, which includes a public research talk, one-on-one meetings with faculty and department leadership, and sometimes a brief teaching demonstration. Final decisions are made by a faculty vote and approved by institutional administration.
Where can I find and apply to research assistant professor jobs?
You can find and apply to research assistant professor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from universities, research institutes, and medical centers across the United States. Search for roles that match your field and experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 230+ Research Assistant Professor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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